Kalen DeBoer addresses Jehiem Oatis' decision to redshirt, transfer from Alabama

On Monday, Alabama defensive tackle Jehiem Oatis announced he plans to redshirt the remainder of the season and enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. Head coach Kalen DeBoer addressed Oatis’ decision later during a press conference later that day.

“It felt like it was going that way,” DeBoer said. “The thing you also have to understand, there’s other elements to this, right? There’s health elements. There’s life elements. I love these guys. They work hard and Jehiem’s choices and things — there’s reasons for that. He notified and will continue to be in communication with us.

“We kind of felt like maybe it was going that way… We move forward with the guys that are able to help us win and focused on our program. As we go through this, I don’t want to put finality to it but we want what’s best for all people. Jehiem’s one of them.”

Oatis has only played in three games for Alabama this season, allowing him to preserve the year of eligibility.

In his first two seasons at Alabama, Oatis amassed 55 tackles, four pass deflections and 1.5 sacks. Evidently, Oatis has been unhappy with his playing time under head coach Kalen DeBoer. He only played 25 total snaps against Wisconsin and Georgia.

Oatis didn’t play in Alabama’s upset loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday due to a minor knee injury. On Monday, Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack addressed Oatis’ decision.

“He’s been battling some injuries. Has not been able to perform or produce the way that any of us would like, but my focus is really on the players that are going to do anything they can to help us win football games,” Wommack said.

Oatis played high school football at Columbia High School, where he was a four-star prospect (MS). He was the No. 77 overall player and No. 11 defensive lineman in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

Standing at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds, Jehiem Oatis boasts NFL size and garnered legitimate attention from pro scouts during his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide. Now, he will look to find a new home to further pursue his football career.